Two old friends, both eminent in their chosen fields, meet at the funeral on a woman with whom both had had an affair. In the days that follow, they make a curious pact about how to face death, which has unforeseen consequences.

Winner of the 1998 Booker Prize.

Annotated on 46 pages. Approximately 800 words.

Subtitle in first draft was 'The Spoiler' – given to me by [his wife] Annalena, then given back for her to use for her first novel.

Subtitle in first draft was 'The Spoiler' – given to me by [his wife] Annalena, then given back for her to use for her first novel.